Today's News

HILLSVILLE — Officers with the Hillsville Rescue Squad have decided how to proceed with the agency’s last act — disbursing its remaining cash assets.
The rescue squad has been shuttered since a controversy involving a former captain using an ambulance to move furniture, but the organization lingered as members hoped to resuscitate it.
After clearing out the station on Main Street and selling the equipment and supplies, the rescue squad has set up the process to grant funds to other community organizations.

By SHAINA STOCKTON
StaffWith my eyes closed and my mind clear, I focus on the task in front of me: confronting an emotion that most people don’t put at the forefront of their mind, at least if they can help it.
The feeling in question: doubt, an emotion that plagues everyone at certain points in their lives.
“Allow yourself to feel doubt in your mind, to completely feel it, and let me know when you are there,” coaches Cindy Halley.

The April 1, 2012, change that made Twin County Regional Healthcare part of the Duke Lifepoint hospital system has pointed the Galax hospital toward expanding its physician base and seeking new medical office space.
The changeover also led to four times the typical annual investment in new clinical equipment and facility improvements.
Those were among highlights of a review of 2012 and look at 2013 that TCRH Chief Executive Officer Jon Applebaum outlined last Thursday at a meeting of its community advisory groups.

The Galax Fire Department and the Pipers Gap Rescue Squad responded to a call Thursday evening when a tractor reportedly flipped over and killed Robert L. “Buster” Coomes of Galax.
Coomes was found dead at the scene, said Fire Chief David Hankley.
According to an incident report, Coomes was operating an enclosed cab tractor with a front end loader when the accident occurred.
“Mr. Coomes was ejected from the tractor, but he was not pinned,” said Hankley.

Caution for Fries
You say government spends too much. Yet, when a few in Fries want a birding trail, you have your hand out for $185,000. Now, that is a little too much for a path down the riverbank. I have nothing against the fire department, but instead of a birding trail, maybe Fries needs some caution lights so when the firemen are doing 60 mph down Main Street with only a small light on their dash, people could be warned.

Caution for Fries
You say government spends too much. Yet, when a few in Fries want a birding trail, you have your hand out for $185,000. Now, that is a little too much for a path down the riverbank. I have nothing against the fire department, but instead of a birding trail, maybe Fries needs some caution lights so when the firemen are doing 60 mph down Main Street with only a small light on their dash, people could be warned.

MAX MEADOWS –– Carroll County had played deliberately for long enough, and picked just the right time to floor it. By the time Radford recovered, the Bobcats had gone from being in a tie ballgame to being in a double-digit hole.

The sudden emergence of a full-court press helped Carroll County open the fourth quarter on a 10-0 run Saturday and the Cavaliers hit their free throws down the stretch to take down Radford 68-58 in the championship game of the First Bank of Virginia Classic at Fort Chiswell High School.

HILLSVILLE –– With the boys’ basketball teams from Abingdon and Carroll County meeting with combined records of 18-2 Wednesday night, it was a solid bet that at least one of the games in the boys’-girls’ doubleheader would be a competitive one.

Thank goodness for the girls’ game.

The Lady Cavaliers were able to hold off a strong Abingdon challenge while the Carroll County boys annihilated the preseason favorite Falcons as the Cavaliers swept the Southwest District openers for both schools.

Local rescue squads, fire departments and police aided Cana Volunteer Rescue Squad after a series of accidents on Interstate 77 last Saturday.
According to a report from the Virginia State Police, a total of 15 vehicles, two of them tractor trailers, were involved in seven separate accidents, said a representative of Cana Volunteer Rescue Squad.
“From what we could determine, the cause was a tractor trailer that lost control, ran off the roadway and overturned,” said First Sgt. Mike Musser of the Virginia State Police.

By SHAINA STOCKTON
Staff
Carroll County authorities are investigating a trailer fire that occurred on Pecan Drive, off of Malibu Drive, early Tuesday morning.
The fire appeared to have originated on the front porch of an abandoned trailer, according to Investigator Donnie Spangler.